Secret Spots to Stay, Play, and Be Pampered!

Curacao can be a colorful kaleidoscope of readily apparent attractions but it can also be an elusive labyrinth of secret treasures, hidden pleasures, and off-the-grid gems! You just have to know where to look!

Stay Did you know that you could rent your very own private island on Curacao? You can! Isla Kiniw owned by Baoase Luxury Resort has outfitted it with absolutely everything one could need for a VIP villa vacation experience for up to 8 people! Snorkeling gear, canoes, private boat and other watersports equipment are also included, and Spanish waters are teeming with marine life! You can rent the villa with or without staff.

Another well-kept secret villa rental is cliff side on the southwest end of the island at Coral Estate. Villa Seashell which also sleeps up to 8 people. Its seaside perch location offers incredible panoramic views and the artfully decorated interior also offers full kitchen facilities. Right next door, you can also explore the waters by kayak or by snorkeling and diving where the underwater world is rich in fish and coral. And off-property, steps away is Karakter - a lively beach bar/lounge and restaurant.

If you’d rather be right in the heart of the downtown action yet still on the sea, then PM 78 Urban Oasis is an exceptional boutique accommodation. It’s one of the glorious brightly colored colonial style buildings in the trendy new neighborhood of Pietermaai. It’s a family-run spot with choices of a beach house with its own pool and cliff side sand beach, unique rooms on the main floor and an ethereal ocean top loft . It’s also within easy walking distance of Willemstad’s main attractions.

Play Playa Porto Marie offers far more than great beach: their surf and turf pleasures are totally divine, For snorkelers and divers there is a unique double reef for double the fun of exploring the vibrant marine life. For hikers, there are three marked footpaths just up from the beach -the Seru Matteo Trail, the History Trail and the Bird Trail.

Nature lovers will also enjoy hiking up Mt. Christoffel with Carmabi the non-profit foundation charged with the preservation of the island’s flora, fauna and marine life. They offer many guided hikes, and for enlightening sea kayak tours through ancient mangroves, join naturalist Ryan de Jonghs who also works with Carmabi.

Or you could tour a rain forest without leaving the island! Beyond serving up incredible dinners Brazilian style in the evenings, L’aldea- A Rain Forest Mystery has tours of their recreated Amazonian tropical complex replete with all kinds of animals out in Santa Catharina during the day. They even have a fish spa for your feet, which is weird, yet wonderful, if you can withstand the tickling! Also on site is a tiny boutique hotel called El Patio.

Pampering & Rejuvenation Experience 8- the new stand-alone spa oasis out in Sint Willibrordus is exceptional. The setting alone will have you in the Zen mode in no time. Gorgeous cliff-top hot tubs and a meditation pool looking out on the sea, and add the additional relaxation elements like The Forest Steam Room, The Igloo and The Sahara Sauna and you have everything you need for total rejuvenation. They also offer full service spa treatments and beauty services.

Santa Barbara Beach and Golf Resort also has a gorgeous spa – the “ATABEI”, but the coolest addition there is the new 7-day health and wellness retreat packages offered through their new PIAI Institute. The different retreat themes combine Western and Eastern Medicine, and offer thematic programs including training, workshops, lectures and activities with healthy, organic food and drink. Piai (pronounced: pee-ay) was the name given to the priest-doctor by the native Indian tribe that originally inhabited the Santa Barbara Plantation region.

So now you know where the hidden gems are, shhhhh! Don’t tell anyone else! Let’s keep it our little secret.

This will be our last blog for the year for Curacao Nights. Look for our new magazines on island soon.

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Comments

Great overview of things to do and see on Curacao Susan! I've personally stayed at Villa Seashell and it's incredible. The views are unmatched, and love the seaside pool. Very romantic. The owner also writes a very helpful blog. I appreciated the tips on the best areas to snorkel: http://www.villaseashell.com/curacao-island-blog We especially enjoyed her tip about hiking around Shete Boka. Beautiful! I have to say my experience at Villa Seashell can be measured as I also own an oceanside Vacation Rental in the US, so I have lots of experience! http://vacationrentalsmanzanita.com

I can't wait for our family to see these options for vacation. The Villa SeaShell looks incredible! Thanks for sharing the info. A visit to their website just leaves me breathless...as does the whole island. So excited to start planning our next holiday.

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